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Residents urge council to revisit housing choices as rents rise and younger families leave
Summary
During the public forum, residents urged the council to reconsider a previously defeated housing proposal and highlighted rising rents and the need for more affordable housing for working residents and seniors. A councilor outlined parliamentary options to renew or reconsider past motions.
Two town residents used the public comment period on Wednesday to press the Town Council on housing affordability and the reuse of vacant school buildings for affordable housing.
Lawrence Frank, citing HousingWorks Rhode Island data he handed the council, said rent increases are squeezing Middletown workers and families. He said the average monthly rent for a two‑bedroom rose from $1,977 in 2023 to $2,179 in 2024 and argued that a large share of Middletown’s workforce earns under $50,000 a year. “That 5,500 represents almost 50% of all Middletown employees,” Frank said, and he urged councilors to reconsider a previous vote on a housing proposal he called the Penrose motion.
Another resident, identified in the transcript as Mrs. Bonvilles, read a prepared statement arguing that repurposing the Berkeley Peckham and Oliphant school buildings for affordable housing would expand the tax base and reduce future tax pressure for residents. She said taxpayers ultimately fund municipal projects and urged the council to “focus on the big picture,” noting state funding incentives can accompany repurposed schools.
Councilors responded with a short explanation of procedural options. A councilor summarized Robert’s Rules of Order on renewing or reconsidering motions and noted that in‑meeting motions to reconsider can be made only by a member of the prevailing side during the same meeting; renewing a motion later requires a substantial change in circumstances or wording.
Why it matters: Speakers tied affordability to school enrollment, teacher retention and the town’s tax base, saying a lack of affordable housing can depress family formation and long‑term enrollment in the new schools. Councilors did not take action during the meeting; public‑comment items require separate agenda action to be voted on later.
What comes next: Speakers requested the council reintroduce the prior housing motion; councilors explained the rules for reconsideration and renewal and suggested that a new or amended motion would be the procedural route to revisit the issue.
